Silver Springs may benefit from boost in protection funds

Published: Monday, May 20, 2013 at 9:21 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, May 20, 2013 at 9:21 p.m.

Silver Springs could be a prime beneficiary of the Legislature's spending boost for springs, says the leader of the state Senate's main committee over environmental matters.

Sen. Charlie Dean, an Inverness Republican and chairman of the Senate's Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, said lawmakers and state environmental regulators are working on a list of priorities for the $10 million the Legislature set aside for springs protection.

Dean said he wanted to target the "most do-able" springs for improving water quality and that Silver Springs should make the cut.

"At the top of the list for me is Silver Springs, and the springs over at Crystal River," Dean said.

"I really want to get involved with some springs that are do-able, that we can see some results, and not just throw bad money after worse, but really make things work."

The senator added that the list of priorities should take shape next month when key lawmakers meet with officials from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the water management districts and possibly Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staffers.

On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott signed the state's $74.5 billion budget for 2014, which included the $10 million for springs protection.

DEP officials announced that the money would be used for improving water quality, reducing nitrate levels in freshwater springs and conserving water.

The budget also includes $5.5 million that will be directed toward springs projects just within the Suwannee River Water Management District.

DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard said in a statement that Scott had "illustrated the importance of our environment" by increasing spending for springs as well as the restoration of the Everglades and of beaches and for the Florida Forever land-preservation program.

Dee Ann Miller, DEP spokeswoman in Tallahassee, said in an email the agency "will ultimately fund efforts that provide the best springs quality and quantity bang for the buck."

Miller added that DEP, in order to wring more benefits out of the money, would seek funding from other sources, including its own programs, the water management districts and local governments willing to pony up their share.

Those projects that are ready to proceed or complement a comprehensive restoration plan will also get priority consideration, Miller noted.

That might bode well for Silver Springs.

Marion County officials, assisted by state regulators, are well into an effort to draft a management plan for the Silver Springs basin, an area that spans more than 500,000 acres.

<p>Silver Springs could be a prime beneficiary of the Legislature's spending boost for springs, says the leader of the state Senate's main committee over environmental matters.</p><p>Sen. Charlie Dean, an Inverness Republican and chairman of the Senate's Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, said lawmakers and state environmental regulators are working on a list of priorities for the $10 million the Legislature set aside for springs protection.</p><p>Dean said he wanted to target the "most do-able" springs for improving water quality and that Silver Springs should make the cut.</p><p>"At the top of the list for me is Silver Springs, and the springs over at Crystal River," Dean said.</p><p>"I really want to get involved with some springs that are do-able, that we can see some results, and not just throw bad money after worse, but really make things work."</p><p>The senator added that the list of priorities should take shape next month when key lawmakers meet with officials from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the water management districts and possibly Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staffers.</p><p>On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott signed the state's $74.5 billion budget for 2014, which included the $10 million for springs protection.</p><p>DEP officials announced that the money would be used for improving water quality, reducing nitrate levels in freshwater springs and conserving water.</p><p>The budget also includes $5.5 million that will be directed toward springs projects just within the Suwannee River Water Management District.</p><p>DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard said in a statement that Scott had "illustrated the importance of our environment" by increasing spending for springs as well as the restoration of the Everglades and of beaches and for the Florida Forever land-preservation program.</p><p>Dee Ann Miller, DEP spokeswoman in Tallahassee, said in an email the agency "will ultimately fund efforts that provide the best springs quality and quantity bang for the buck."</p><p>Miller added that DEP, in order to wring more benefits out of the money, would seek funding from other sources, including its own programs, the water management districts and local governments willing to pony up their share.</p><p>Those projects that are ready to proceed or complement a comprehensive restoration plan will also get priority consideration, Miller noted.</p><p>That might bode well for Silver Springs.</p><p>Marion County officials, assisted by state regulators, are well into an effort to draft a management plan for the Silver Springs basin, an area that spans more than 500,000 acres.</p><p><i>Contact Bill Thompson at 867-4117 or bill.thompson@starbanner.com.</i></p>